Oh was it cold! However we were grateful for the lack of wind and rain and so had a good day’s birding, welcoming new member Rob from Buckden whose email sighting notes we had enjoyed during Lockdown and since.

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Wandering down the Cumberland Trail we managed several sightings amongst the emerging leaves, sometimes following the birdsong. Willow Warbler, often heard and less easy to see, was frequently present throughout the woods. Blackcap was also often heard but never seen! The common garden and woodland birds were easier to find but frustrating when much energy and neck ache had been used to find the elusive tree top – Blue Tit. Treecreeper and Nuthatch were in their expected habitat. We were surprised to find a pair of Pied Flycatchers on this side of the river. Clearings and edges of habitat seem to be good places.

As we got down to River level we were delighted to spend some time watching a pair of Common Sandpipers feeding among the rocks at the water’s edge, but no Dipper. Was it neglect or an abundant supply of food that left two or three very small Mallard ducklings chasing over the water unguarded by their parents?

Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

We arrived at the Aquaduct fully expecting the Dipper, but none seen there despite much effort. The Grey Wagtail was flitting about. A search of the field beyond revealed Oyster Catchers and a pair of Redshank.

The walk down the other side of the river and at height above it was very disappointing bird wise, the trees in early leaf were some recompense, as was the Bird and the Wild Cherry with their different blossom. It wasn’t until towards the end of lunch that a female Pied Flycatcher was seen entering a nearby nesting box with nesting material. On finally reaching the shelter we saw numbers of Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Great Tit and Nuthatch feeding on some bird food left there, much the greatest collection of birds seen today.

Our final reward on the return to the car park was a Dipper at the river’s edge before the climb to the carpark, or at least the cafe where we puzzled over the cause of what seemed like a reduced number of birds today.

Nine of us saw 25 species

Josephine Drake

Photos: Marg Smith and Ann Shaw